OVERVIEW

ZIRENE SOUND by AM3D enhances the audio in HD quality on devices such as smartphones, tablets, TVs, portable music players, portable navigation devices, headphones and other kinds of devices in which audio is an essential part of the user experience. The solution is purely software-based and is easily integrated into existing software platforms. The physical nature of small audio devices or industrial design restricted devices means that listening conditions often differ significantly from those preferred by the creators of the original media source. For example, stereo music and multi-channel audio are produced with specific loudspeaker arrangements in mind. These are not directly achievable with small devices or headphones. Other limitations may be caused by low acoustic output power or reduced bandwidth capability. To overcome the inherent performance limitations of audio devices, ZIRENE SOUND offers state-of-the-art audio enhancement technologies for playback optimisation and spatial audio effects. ZIRENE SOUND ensures high sound quality with 32 bits internal processing. When audio is played back on headphones or loudspeakers, ZIRENE SOUND significantly increases the perceived quality of the audio playback by adding high-quality features to: Increase and balance the bandwidth of the speaker by equalising its efficient region and boosting the lower and upper frequency regions. Boost or align the output level. Create a surround sound image perceived as being outside the head when using headphones. In addition to the ZIRENE SOUND software, AM3D offers tuning and filter design tools for quick and easy adaption to each device model.

USE CASES
ZIRENE SOUND improves the sound experience on a wide range of products from smartphones to portable music players, laptops, TVs, handheld gaming consoles, headsets, soundbars, Bluetooth speakers, hearing aids, infotainment systems and GPS devices.

INTEGRATION
ZIRENE SOUND is based on digital signal processing algorithms implemented in software. AM3Ds patented software is easily integrated to operating systems, apps or chipset-platforms. ZIRENE SOUND software is generic, module-based and configurable. The solution is not dependent on any external libraries, e.g. open source code, and is developed in ANSI C using assembly-optimised coding for the resource-intense parts targeted at various platforms. An ANSI C reference is available for fast prototyping on customer devices. Optimised software is already available for a number of platforms (e.g. ARM, TI DSPs and CSR Bluecore) and can within short time be optimised for, or ported to other dedicated platforms.

FEATURES
ZIRENE SOUND consists of audio processing modules for microspeakers, loudspeakers and headphones. The features can be used separately or in combination: Virtual Surround Sound (mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1) Voice Enhancement Level Alignment Transducer Equalization Bass, Treble and Level Enhancement Output Limiting Tone Control Please find more details on the other side of this hand-out.

ABOUT AM3D
AM3D is a provider of world-class audio technology providing software solutions for audio enhancement and 3D audio for missioncritical solutions, mobile devices, in-car and home entertainment systems. AM3D holds several patents on audio technologies. AM3D has offices in Denmark, Japan and South Korea. AM3D is owned by Nordjyske which has more than 2,000 employees and a history that dates back to 1767. AM3D A/S was established in 1997 as a commercial offspring of research activities at Aalborg University in Denmark.

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FEATURES IN DETAIL
Virtual Surround Sound Multi-channel and stereo contents are not intended for playback on small devices and headphones. Virtual Surround Sound overcomes this problem by using binaural technology to create virtual sound sources, which simulates the intended loudspeaker set-ups needed for optimum playback. With a 2.0 channel input (stereo or multi-channel down-mix) the signal is enhanced to produce a multi-channel alike surround sound signal. When played back, it produces a profound surround sound perception and an enhanced center optimum for movie as well as music playback. With a 5.1 or 7.1 multi-channel surround sound input an enhanced stereo signal is produced. When played back, it reproduces a virtual 5.1 or 7.1 multi-channel loudspeaker set-up for perfect surround sound perception. During headphone playback a profound out-of-the-head sound image is perceived and with loudspeaker the sound image extends beyond the physical loudspeakers. Voice Enhancement Voice Enhancement operates on mono, stereo and multi-channel input by detecting voice in movie and TV audio content. Once detected, a compressor is activated to boost the voice and a significant improved user experience is achieved when watching video content on tablets, smartphones and TVs. Combining Voice Enhancement with Level Alignment results in a clear voice dialog on movie content played back on micro speakers with low output capabilities and inaudible voice becomes audible. Level Alignment Level Alignment adjusts the level of different audio signals to compensate for differences in loudness. This is useful e.g. when two consecutive music pieces have very different loudness. This is the case when the level of advertisements on the radio is much louder than the music being played. In such cases, Level Alignment effectively aligns the signal loudness to minimise the difference. With movie content the silent parts are increased in level, while loud action scenes are left unchanged. Tone Control A 3-band parametric equalizer and a 5-band graphics equalizer can be used to control the timbre of the audio to a preferred sound. Transducer Equalization Often speakers in small devices and headphones do not have an ideal frequency response, e.g. some frequencies are reproduced louder than intended due to resonances of the acoustic system. Transducer Equalization compensates for this by equalizing the response to achieve a specific target. The Transducer Equalization is a vital component to optimise the speaker playback, and the overall perceived sound quality is improved significantly. Bass Enhancement Loudspeakers which reproduce sound in the mid and high-frequency range are generally poor at reproducing lowfrequency sounds. Bass content is vital to movie effects and music to achieve a perceived high sound quality. Bass Enhancement boosts the low frequency part of the signal and leaves the remaining part of the frequency range unchanged in terms of loudness and timbre. This gives the possibility to create extreme bass enhancement. Bass Enhancement consists of three dedicated solutions: A generic solution optimised for mid-range loudspeakers and headphones, one optimised specifically for micro-speakers used in e.g. mobile phones, and a bass harmonics solution. Treble Enhancement Loudspeakers which reproduce sound in the low to mid-frequency range are generally poor at reproducing high frequency sounds. A common approach in playback systems is to use a second loudspeaker (tweeter) for reproducing the high frequencies. Treble Enhancement approaches this problem differently by boosting the high frequency content of an audio signal. As a result, Treble Enhancement provides a clear and crisp treble which emphasises details that are usually lost during playback. Level Enhancement Small loudspeaker systems are typically incapable of producing a sufficient high sound pressure level. A higher sound level is typically perceived as being of higher sound quality, thus it is vital to produce enough sound pressure level in the loudspeaker system. Level Enhancement approaches this problem by boosting the level of the audio signal beyond what would be possible with a linear gain, hence a much higher perceived sound level can be achieved in small loudspeakers systems. Output Limiting The output can be limited with respect to peak and power for avoiding overdriving the hardware and loudspeaker. This can protect the loudspeaker from damage.

AM3D A/S Langagervej 6 DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark Phone +45 9934 9800 www.am3d.com email: am3d@am3d.com